The 22-week proposal, which had the personal support of Tory leader David Cameron, came the closest to success but was still comfortably rejected by 233 votes to 304, majority 71.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown voted against any reduction after insisting there was no medical evidence to justify a change in the law.

Pro-life campaigners said Parliament had defied overwhelming public opinion. They vowed to continue to fight for later abortions to be outlawed.

Coordinator Ian Lucas said: "We are disappointed MPs have not seen fit to recognise the wishes of three-quarters of the population by lowering the time limit. This comes despite pleas from many MPs to recognise research which has shown that children younger than 24 weeks can survive.

"Regardless of reassurances of a free vote, Gordon Brown had clearly signalled his own preferences, thus providing many others with direction.

But Liberal Democrat MP Evan Harris, one of the most vocal supporters of the existing limit, accused Pro-life MPs of using "made up statistics".